STEVE Clarke last night admitted Scotland will have to improve ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel next month after watching his side sneak a narrow 2-1 triumph over a weakened Czech Republic side.
The national team fell behind to opponents whose preparations for the Nations League game in Olomouc had been thrown into chaos last week when their entire first choice squad had to go into quarantine due to positive coronavirus test results.
Andy Robertson and his team mates fought back to win the game thanks to a first-half Lyndon Dykes goal, his first for his country, and a second-half Ryan Chrstie penalty to move to the top of Group B2.
However, their all-round display against rivals who fielded just two capped players in their starting line-up was disappointing and only some outstanding saves from goalkeeper David Marshall ensured the visitors won.
"It was always going to be a difficult night because all the pressure and expectation is on us to get the win," said Clarke. "We were told that the win was a must scenario and that's what we did. We will probably get a little bit of criticism for the performance. But we can work on the performance.
"I will go away, I will look at videos of the two games, the coaching staff and analysts will analyse the performances in the games and see what we can do better for October. You are always looking to improve so we have to improve."
Clarke added: "The reaction to adversity was pleasing. Obviously we conceded the first goal in the game. That was not ideal. It gives life to the opposition. After that we reacted well. We scored a fantastic goal - good switch of play, we worked the ball well, pleased to see Lyndon get on the scoresheet.
"It's great. It's always good for a striker when he gets his goal. In the last two games he has shown that he can handle this level, he has shown that he is going to be a good player for us in the future and that augurs well. I thought Callum Paterson came off the bench and gave us a similar type of striker. So it was good.
"In the second-half we got our noses in front. Again, a good switch of play. We got Andy in the box, it was a penalty, Ryan did what he did. So both strikers scoring is good.
"I think you have to look at the last 15 minutes of the game in a slightly different context. We are under the cosh, they can throw bodies forward, they have got nothing to lose. We lacked a bit of quality to get the third on the counter attack. That would have taken the sting out of the situation.
"But I have to say the way we defended - putting our bodies on the line, getting the blocks in, getting the headers, shows a big commitment from the lads to their country. They had to get the result and they did everything to get it.
"I think towards the end of the game most of the chances were coming off set plays. They were falling down, the referee was giving them free-kicks, they were putting the ball in the box, they were getting the ball in the box from corners. Dead ball situations are always a problem when you are only one goal in front.
"But like I said before we defended it well, we showed good resolve and strength of character. The three points were important for us. That's five games unbeaten as we go into the October internationals so there are some positives there."
Listen, tonight I think the first thing to start with is the Czech Republic. Tonight was a big compliment for the coach and the players of the Czech Republic. It would have been a big night for them. For us, we were also on a hiding to nothing. Everyone told us before the start of the game that we had to win the game so we won the game. We take the three points and go home.
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